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                      A LETTER FROM AFRICA

When AMARC 6 is inaugurated in Senegal on January 23, 1995 it will
be the first time AMARC's world conference takes place in Africa.
In addition to a new location, the conference will bring new themes
to AMARC.  For several years Africa has been buzzing with free-
radio programs.  With a state monopoly here and a legal void there,
pirate stations, community radios in Mali, commercial radios in
Gambia, local radios in Burkina Faso, denominational radios, etc.,
radio adventurers have opened the airwaves to Africans who, though
silent for generations, are rich in differences and anxious to
participate in public discussions and make their opinions known.
Others are longing for the same opportunity.

Africa has moved straight into the radio-wave forum.  The
opportunity to hold the Sixth World Conference of Community Radio
Broadcasters on our own soil has come at just the right time.  It
will boost enthusiasm and help to build a framework for
harmonious development of radio broadcasting on many levels:
legality, programming, technical development and even on the
level of ideals because it will contribute to renewing dialogue
between people who have broken off all communication and see
violence as their only alternative.

Radio broadcasting is already regarded as a form of freedom --
freedom to communicate from one continent to another or just from
one part of Africa to another or from one point of view to another.
It means freedom of expression for Africans on global matters in
which the stakes are high.  The central theme of AMARC 6 has
already been chosen: Waves for Freedom.

The local AMARC 6 Organizing Committee is currently working with
this dream -- well on its way to becoming reality -- to shape the
upcoming event and raise awareness of the scope and demands of
these new tools.  The challenge will be to encourage the
participation of Africans from all over the continent, with their
specific differences and needs, as well as radio broadcasters from
other parts of the world: people who are more experienced and still
eager to exchange and help to build.

More than ever before, this AMARC conference should be designed to
bring together the largest possible number of participants, from
many different backgrounds, around themes common to all community
radio broadcasters.  At the same time, it should bear the mark of
Africa.  Dakar has been known throughout the centuries as a
crossroads for every sort of exchanges and a meeting ground for
discussion amongst different peoples.  The choice of this city as
the host of AMARC 6 will undoubtedly be a significant asset in
carrying out the important task that lies ahead.

Sophie Ly
AMARC 6 Organizing Committee
Dakar

                   ..........................
 This article is from InteRadio, Vol. 6, No.1., the newsletter
of AMARC, the World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters.
     InteRadio is published in English, French and Spanish.
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